A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Bed

Friday, June 28, 2013

Yesterday morning didn’t start well and it only seemed to get more stressful as the day went on. I was woken early by my kitty howling in pain because her back hip was hurting her. She has arthritis and I think the recent wet, damp weather has really affected her. I was so upset hearing that sound – it’s an awful sound an animal in pain. I tried to get her to take her kitty motrin but she wasn’t having any of it. I ended up calling my mom to come and kitty-sit because I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving her alone but I couldn’t stay home, especially that day!

For the past 4 days I have been using every spare minute to prepare a 10 minute presentation that I had to give as part of an hour-long interview for a promotion that I have been wanting for literally years. I had a chance to do it in an acting position last year but it wasn’t permanent and I reverted when the acting period ended. This one is permanent and I want it BAD. My competition was my coworker who I work next to every day who is perfectly qualified, a formidable opponent and just as deserving as I was. So I knew I was up against stiff competition.

I got dressed in my suit (I normally wear casual pants or jeans to work – but this is a special occasion!) I was thrilled that it actually fit – because 4 months ago – it certainly wouldn’t have. And then I dumped coffee on my blouse at breakfast. Not awesome. Frantically find something new to wear. Fuss over the cat. Shed a tear when she looks at me with those imploring eyes ‘please don’t leave here alone!’ but trying to reassure her that my mom was coming to be with her!

On top of worrying about the cat and mentally preparing for the interview and sneaking off every few hours to practice my presentation in a break-out room, the day was really busy – so many things going on. And I’m running around in this suit which, while it fits me, always makes me feel trussed up like a turkey. It’s just not my style of comfort.
Interview time comes, I’m put in a room with a piece of paper that lists the 4 questions that will be asked and given a ½ hour to prepare my answers. I read the questions and then completely panic. WTF? How am I going to answer that! Omg, I’m going to fail, all this work on the presentation and I’m going to fail the verbal question period. But then I calmed down. Read the questions again, absorbed them, let my brain start ticking and soon I had mocked up what I felt were reasonable, quality answers to all 4 detailed questions.

The rest of it was a whirlwind – I barely remember what I said. But I do remember suddenly becoming very calm when I walked into the room with the 3 panel members. The truth is, all I can do is my best. And if my best isn’t better than my coworker’s, then I guess that’s the way it is. I answered the questions, I did my presentation. And I ‘think’ it went well. Lots of smiling, head nodding when I made certain points and even a ‘good answer’ on one.

We had after-work drinks planned with a group of people that had recently completed a project together. Coincidentally, two of those people were on the panel of the interview I just had. When people teasingly asked them how I did, they both answered ‘very well, really good’. Obviously they can’t say much, but I’m taking that as encouraging.

I was completely mentally exhausted by the time I got home at 7pm. I’d had a few nachos with my rye and diet cokes (least calories!) but other than had not had dinner. This would be an epic opportunity for me to overeat and then lie on the couch. Even taking the bus home I was thinking, man I’m going get this monkey suit off, put on my pajamas, vegetate in front of the tv and go to bed early. But today was a c25k run day (Sun/Tues/Thurs) and I knew I hadn’t done my run. And I was going over in my head whether I was really going to do it, or when else I can do it – maybe tomorrow.

But what was strange was that the more I thought about it, the more I felt like I needed to shed the stress of today by going for a run. Not stuffing my face but instead running off the stress. It was the weirdest phenomenon and has never happened to me before. So once I had reassured myself that the cat was fine, I put on my running gear and went out for the 30 minute session. Came home, quick shower, comfy pj’s – and I felt amazing. The stress had melted away. My shoulders felt like they dropped 3 inches.

That is the first time I’ve ever craved exercise over food to deal with an emotion I was having. So that’s my huge NSV for the week.

MONTREAL12
Looking forward to reading the outcome of your interview. Trust that your mom's presence made the cat feel better. Hope you get the promotion. You're a winner either way. Thanks for sharing your day with the rest of our Spark community. 1702 days ago

CHERYLHURT
Sweetie, YOU ARE VALUABLE! You are smart, valuable, and you WILL be rewarded. Sometimes things just don't work out when we want it. You were still the better person, they were just too blind to see!1717 days ago

-AIMIE-What a wonderful blog! It's awesome that you put yourself and your health first and still did that run even though your day had been pretty crazy. I am glad you got the amazing payoff of relieving stress and being proud. Good luck with the promotion!1720 days ago

DSPURLOCK4569
There are not many people who can function effectively while having their mind on a sick loved one, whether it is a pet or person, it is hard for a lot of people to compartmentalize and be able to perform. I have seen it over and over again with both men and women when just an argument will affect their job performance and here you went in knowing that your kitten was in pain and still managed to give an awesome presentation. Not many people have those skills. You have every right to feel pumped and yourself. Exercising was a great choice. I hope that your kitten gets better and that you will get promoted it sounds like you are the best person for the job.1721 days ago

CLOVER2
Isn't it amazing when those mindset changes start to happen! When thinking about moving your body becomes a natural way to think. I was surprised at first, I really thought it happened to others, I envied them, but not to me. Then it did, again and again. WOW....

TNFAIRY
Good luck with the promotion. I hope your cat is feeling better. Knowing your animal is in pain, makes you want to take the pain away. I have a dog with arthritis and it is painful to see her in pain. 1722 days ago

DAWNDMOORE40 I hope you get the promotion! You really deserve it! I am glad that you chose to do your run! That is I hope your cat is feeling better! We have two cats and they are just like our children! 1722 days ago

SHYLONESTAR
Fantastic read...enjoyed how you pulled it all together. At the risk of coming off like a flake...regarding your kitty: (Please, Google this: Bar of soap in bed). Thousands of people puts a bar of soap at foot of bed under bottom sheet. No more leg cramps (I'm forever grateful!) and pets with aching bones sleep/lay where the soap bar is...with amazing results. Please again...don't take my word for it...Google it! Good luck on promotion!1722 days ago

IGOTFATFAT
Hi, Awesome story! I was glued to my seat, I am wondering what the questions where...and what is NSV? anyhow, kuddos to all of you wonderful people! you all rock! this place is awesome . Let's do this!Betty1722 days ago

WISHICOULDFLY
Wow. This entire blog is so inspiring for so many reasons!

1. Not talking yourself out of it because your kitty is in pain and realizing that your Mom CAN comfort her. 2. Keeping cool during your wardrobe accident and quickly problem solving. 3. Doing everything in YOUR power to make it happen, i.e., preparation, preparation, preparation. 4. Pushing through and sticking it out being "trussed up". 5. Not falling apart when thrown a curve ball (the 4 questions) 6. Putting your big girl panties on and facing the panel and doing your best. 7. Taking the emotion out of it by realizing, you have done your best and that the competition is stiff and that the rest is out of you hands now. 8. Not letting yourself overeat when you got home andthe most important breakthrough of all, running your C25K program and using exercise as a stress buster!! 1723 days ago

EMERALDELEPHANT
Way to go!! I laughed at your "trussed up like a turkey" comment...I hate wearing suits too! Sounds like you had an awesome day, an awesome interview, and an awesome workout. Great job!!1723 days ago

WALKINGBYFAITH2
WOW! That is such a GREAT NSV!! It is really such a great example of making these healthy living choices that we practice with the challenges etc.. into real habits. That is so wonderful that you paid attention enough to yourself to realize that the run was your preference AND then you acted on that preference!! No matter what happens with the job, it is clear that you have some really great things happening in your life. You really are creating a healthy lifestyle. Congratulations!!! 1723 days ago